Reviving the ancient charm of shadow puppetry in NW China’s Xinjiang

Photo taken on May 8, 2026 shows Zhu Xingui (right) and his colleague perform a shadow puppetry show.

Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Han Liang) news: On May 8, 2026, at the "Intangible Cultural Heritage Entering Campus" event held at Changji No.1 Primary School in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Zhu Xingui, the representative inheritor of Xinjiang shadow puppetry, an intangible cultural heritage at autonomous-level, manipulated puppet figures backstage to interpret classic stories. His wonderful performance won rounds of applause from teachers and students.

The venue was packed with audience members. Accompanied by music and voice acting, classic plays such as The Crow and the Fox and The Golden Fishhook were staged one after another. Zhu Xingui and his partner skillfully controlled the puppets backstage. With nimble movements of their fingers, the shadow puppet characters came vividly to life. Exquisite props paired with gripping storylines kept the children laughing, allowing them to immerse themselves in the unique charm of this time-honored intangible cultural heritage.

"I’ve only watched shadow puppetry on TV before. Watching it live is absolutely stunning. Getting up close to experience traditional culture is incredibly meaningful," said Zhang Yidan, a fifth-grade student.

Over sixty years old, Zhu Xingui is a native of Changji. He has been devoted to shadow puppetry for decades, adhering to its inheritance while constantly exploring innovations. Fascinated by shadow puppetry since childhood, he has visited veteran artisans across regions over the years, devoting himself to learning the full range of skills including shadow puppet carving, tune arrangement and play creation, dedicating himself to safeguarding the roots of this ancient culture.

In Zhu Xingui’s view, shadow puppetry is not a dusty traditional craft, but a living culture that keeps pace with the times. While preserving its traditional essence, he integrates local elements and creates plays with regional characteristics such as Bond with Ashili and Lin Zexu in Changji. Catering to the aesthetic taste of teenagers, he also adapts fables including The Crow and the Fox and The Little Horse Crosses the River, bringing children closer to intangible cultural heritage and traditional culture through childlike and lively performances.

"The inheritance of intangible cultural heritage lies in cultivating successors." Zhu Xingui regularly holds public welfare performances and free training courses in schools, communities and villages all year round. He has set up shadow puppetry interest classes, teaching carving and performing techniques hand in hand, and has cultivated dozens of shadow puppetry enthusiasts. In 2014, with government support, he founded the Xinjiang Folk Shadow Puppetry Master Studio, integrating performance, puppet making and teaching, building a solid platform for the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage.

Over the years, Zhu Xingui and his team have staged more than 100 public welfare performances annually. They have appeared on national intangible cultural heritage exhibition stages many times and won numerous honors. An increasing number of young people have taken the initiative to join the inheritance cause, empowering traditional shadow puppetry with trendy creativity, and enabling this age-old craft of light and shadow to pass down endlessly across the land of Xinjiang.

Photo taken on May 8, 2026 shows students watch the shadow puppetry performance.

Photo taken on May 8, 2026 shows Zhu Xingui teaches students shadow puppetry performing skills.

Photo taken on May 8, 2026 shows Zhu Xingui admires newly made shadow puppet props.

Photo taken on May 8, 2026 shows students watch shadow puppetry performance.

Photo taken on May 8, 2026 shows Zhu Xingui instructing students on shadow puppetry skills.

Photo taken on May 8, 2026 shows students watch the shadow puppetry performance.

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